West posted a video from a recent Jensen Beach town hall meeting on his Facebook page in which he said "I believe there are 78 to 81 members of the Democratic Party that are members of the Communist Party."

His office said he was referring to the 76 members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

Staffers cited a May 2010 article that appeared in a publication from Communist Party USA.

It referred to the caucus members as allies.

That article also included a disclaimer that the party took no responsibility for the piece's opinions.